Early Aviation, Group of Pamphlets & Photographs, Including Views of Wilbur Wright Field 

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American History: Live Salesroom Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Jul 21, 2014 - Jul 22, 2014

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• Lot Description
  There are 14 larger photos, ranging from Approx. 3.5 x 5.5 to 8 x 10 in. There are two images of the "Monocoupe," one with a pilot standing nearby (maybe Don Luscombe, himself?), with "The Monocoupe / $2495 / Delivered" on the tail. The other is in front of a hangar with "Air Mail" above the door. This was one of the first single-winged aircraft, and one in which the cabin was covered. It was also one of the first commercially successful small airplanes. The lot also includes a booklet by Luscombe, "Simplified Flying." It purports to be "A non-technical review of salient points in primary fling - written only for the purpose of encouraging interest in aviation and with no presumption of serving as a test book." (but, of course, interest leads to sales of the Monocoupe...) Moline, IL. N.d. (ca. 1930) 54pp in printed wraps. Illustrated with numerous photos. There is a 4-page brochure for the Monocoupe, August 1928. This does have a more technical description on the last page. At top is stamped: "The Air Transit and Sales Co. / Glenn L. Martin Field / Cleveland."
  
  Also included are three service papers: the "Daily Pacifican, the Army Newspaper int he Western Pacific." Vol. I, No. 52, August 4, 1945. This was near the end of the war. And two issues of "The Albatross," put out by EATS - European Air Transport Service,
  Wiesbaden, Germany. One is from Dec. 31, 1946, the other Vol. 1, No. 3, March 27, 1946
  There are three photos are of people of all ages milling around a biplane - possibly one of many airshows that sprang up around the country in the first quarter of the 20th century.
  
  One of the large images shows a man standing beside a biplane with "64" on the side, likely one of many racing planes of the early 20th century. Just about from the first planes that would stay aloft more than a few minutes, air races began. The French held a heavier-than-air race in 1909 just south of Paris. The first transcontinental race in the US was in 1919, and shorter races preceded that.
  
  Two other large images are penciled on verso "Wilbur Wright Field." Established in 1917 for training pilots and various mechanical specialties for WWI, the field is not "Area B" of Wright-Patterson AFB (and includes the museum).
  
  Another large image has a label indicating "Glenn L. Martin Co. 1921-1922." The first incarnation of the Martin company merged with Wright's company in 1916, but did not succeed. The second Martin company did, and became successful building bombers for the first World War. IN 1961, they merged with American-Marietta to form Martin Marietta, now part of Lockheed.
  
  Another large image has an ink label on verso "Henry Ford Hospital,
  May 1929." One of the smaller views is of three men in suits, not identified. Likely someone in the aviation history field will recognize them.
  
  One 6 x 8 in. is a photo of the roster labeled "Cadet Class. June. 1920" above an airplane propeller. A search for this group indicates that they were at Carlstrom Field, Florida in 1920, since that is where they were recorded in the census of that year, training with the US Army Air Service. However, the Air Service News Letter, Vol. V, No. 26 (July 13, 1921), records the death of Adolph Ferenchak and Samuel C. Chapkowitz, both on this list, on August 31. "The cadets were sent to Indian Creek from Langley Field on a government mission, and in attempting to make a landing in a very small field their plane struck a tree and was thrown to the ground, bursting into flames immediately, both occupants succumbing to the flames....These two cadets were given their preliminary training at Carlstrom Field, Fla., last year, and they completed their advanced training at Kelly Field, Texas, last Spring. They volunteered their services during the bombing maneuvers. Both were excellent pilots and were highly rated by the officers.... Both were to have soon received their reserve officers' commissions."
  
  Two more images are military - one is a copy released by the army for the WWII Anniversary, and shows Eisenhower addressing US troops before D-Day. The other appears to be a tank (or some tracked vehicle) in Europe being transported on a caisson.
  
  There is a second group of photos, these ranging from 2.5 x 3.5 to 3.5 x 5.5 in. Many are men standing by various aircraft, from biplanes to what appear to be bombers. There is also a series taken inside an airplane factory (and a couple of the aircraft that we think are being assembled have floats). Another large plane has a body that resembles a train car. One also has wings that fold back, and another photo shows a close-up of the folding mechanism. There is also a photo of an invitation to a "Stag Party Given by the Reserve Officers on Duty at Wilbur Wright Field" on July 20, 1923. Many of these photos appear to have been taken at Wright Field, since several of the early planes have the military star on the side. A real variety of aircraft are pictured from boxy biplanes to WWII-era bombers.
  
  One envelope has a few identified images of planes taken at Wright Field, Carlstrom (FL), McCook Field (this one of a plane with six or seven wings, on back: "John's Multiplane, another fizzle, McCook Field about 1920."). One postcard has a plane with 10 men standing in front, listing of names on verso. These images range from 2.5 x 4.25 in. (these marked "Dayton Wright Cabin Cruiser, G.L.M.Co. Field" - Glenn Martin Co., probably from the first merger of Wright and Martin) to 5 x 8.75 in. 

  Condition

  Variable as expected. Only a couple with short margin tears. Most are very good.
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